ASPIRE Award FAQ
Q: How much money was distributed through the ASPIRE Awards this year?
A: In all, 7,201 HISD employees received awards totaling $17.6 million for student/campus growth/progress shown during the 2011–2012 school year.
Q: When was the money distributed?
A: Most eligible employees received their ASPIRE Award payment on Jan. 23 via direct deposit. Charter schools began distributing funds to eligible employees that same day.
Q: I haven’t received my ASPIRE award yet, but I know I was eligible for one. Why not?
A: ASPIRE payments are being held if there is an inquiry or investigation pending. Of the 515 formal inquiries received, only 27 remained under review at the time of the Jan. 23 payout. The ASPIRE team will continue to review these inquiries and process payments during the next few payroll cycles.
Q: Why is this year’s total so much lower than last year’s ($35.4M)?
A: The decrease is due primarily to changes in the program, which have made earning an award more challenging, including:
- eliminating awards based on TEA ratings and TAKS writing standards
- awarding campus progress and campus achievement awards to the top 20% of campuses rather than the top 50%
- awarding teachers with value-added with above-average effective ratings rather than to the top 50%
- reducing the maximum payout for campus progress awards.
Q: Who do I contact with questions?
A: The opportunity to address an issue regarding your award amount closed on Dec. 10, 2012. However, you may still direct questions about:
- how it was calculated to: ASPIREaward@houstonisd.org
- the amount deposited to: 713-556-7383
- charter-school employees: please contact your particular campus
Q: Why was my name released to the media in connection with the ASPIRE awards?
A: In compliance with the Open Records Act, HISD is required by law to provide the public with information regarding the 2011–2012 ASPIRE Awards. Various news media outlets may request the names of all campus-based staff eligible to receive an award and their respective award amounts, including those who were eligible but whose award amount was $0. Representatives of the news media who requested this information agreed not to report on it until Jan. 23.
